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Published on: February 15, 2022
Hsa_circ_0044097 Serves as a Promising Biomarker of Atherosclerosis and Its Effects on Vascular Smooth Cell
Cencen Ren1,2, Yungen Jiao1
1Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Insights
Hsa_circ_0044097 is a potential biomarker for diagnosing atherosclerosis (AS) and predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Its reduced levels in AS patients and its role in inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration highlight its therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Atherosclerosis (AS) involves vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) dysfunction.
- Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is a key factor in AS pathogenesis.
- Understanding molecular mechanisms underlying VSMC injury is crucial for AS management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical value of hsa_circ_0044097 in AS.
- To elucidate the role and mechanism of hsa_circ_0044097 in ox-LDL-induced VSMC injury.
- To explore hsa_circ_0044097 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for AS.
Main Methods:
- RT-qPCR for gene expression analysis.
- ELISA for inflammatory cytokine quantification (IL-6, TNF-α).
- Cell proliferation (CCK-8) and migration (Transwell) assays.
- Dual luciferase reporter and Spearman correlation assays for molecular interactions.
- ROC curve, K-M survival, and Cox analyses for clinical utility.
Main Results:
- Hsa_circ_0044097 levels were decreased in AS patients' serum and ox-LDL-stimulated VSMCs.
- Overexpression of hsa_circ_0044097 reduced inflammatory factors, VSMC proliferation, and migration.
- Hsa_circ_0044097 directly targets miR-3918, and miR-3918 overexpression reversed the inhibitory effects of hsa_circ_0044097.
- Hsa_circ_0044097 demonstrated diagnostic value for AS and predictive potential for MACE.
Conclusions:
- Hsa_circ_0044097 is downregulated in AS and plays a protective role in VSMCs.
- Hsa_circ_0044097 acts via the hsa_circ_0044097/miR-3918 axis to regulate VSMC behavior.
- Hsa_circ_0044097 is a promising biomarker for AS diagnosis and MACE prediction.
Abstract:
Atherosclerosis (AS) is closely related to the pathogenesis and abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). To explore the value of hsa_circ_0044097 in the clinical management of AS and to elucidate its role and mechanism in the injury of VSMCs induced by in vitro oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). The mRNA expressions of hsa_circ_0044097 and miR-3918 were determined using RT-qPCR, and transfection verification was also conducted. The content of IL-6 and TNF-α was determined using an ELISA kit. CCK-8 and transwell assays were performed to determine the proliferation and migration of HASMC cells. The dual luciferase reporter assay and Spearman correlation analysis were performed to verify the relationship between hsa_circ_0044097 and miR-3918. The clinical value of hsa_circ_0044097 was evaluated using the ROC curve, K-M survival analysis and Cox analysis. Hsa_circ_0044097 level was decreased in AS patients' serum and HASMCs stimulated by ox-LDL. Hsa_circ_0044097 could serve as an indicator for the diagnosis of AS and for predicting the occurrence of MACE in AS patients. Overexpression of hsa_circ_0044097 inhibited the levels of inflammatory factors, cell proliferation and migration. MiR-3918 was targeted by hsa_circ_0044097, and overexpression of miR-3918 reversed the inhibitory effect of the upregulation of hsa_circ_0044097 on the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. Hsa_circ_0044097 may be a biomarker for diagnosing AS and predicting the occurrence of MACE. Hsa_circ_0044097 influences the progression of AS.